The topic at hand is about the longevity and performance of charcoal filters in ostomy pouches. People with ostomies often rely on these filters to manage gas and odor, but their effectiveness can vary. Here are some insights and advice shared by users:

1. Hollister
- Some users find that the filter lasts the entire wear time of 4-5 days if they protect it with a small piece of tape. This also helps prevent leaks from the filter.
- Others experience the filter clogging almost immediately, especially when sitting or lying down. As a result, they either keep tape on permanently or opt for pouches without filters.
- One user with a sigmoid colostomy using Hollister closed pouch #18194 reports 3-5 days of reliable filtration when the output is solid and infrequent.

2. Coloplast SenSura Mio
- For those using the SenSura Mio 2-piece High Output (ileostomy), the charcoal filter tends to block in about 4 hours with watery output, requiring pouch replacement every 2 days and a full system change every 4 days. The pre-filter is seen as ineffective for high-liquid output.
- With the SenSura Mio Convex Flip baseplate and SenSura Mio Click closed pouch (colostomy), users initially cover the filter with a sticker. Once gas builds up, they remove the cover, allowing the filter to function until the pouch is changed, usually twice daily. Strategies like eating a firmer diet (bananas), using loperamide, adding a cotton ball, using lubricant/deodorant, and changing the pouch when it’s half to two-thirds full help prevent pancaking and maintain filter function.

3. ConvaTec Two-Piece Systems
- Previously, these systems offered spare, replaceable filters that worked well. However, the absence of a self-cut convex wafer for a smaller, oval stoma led one user to switch brands.

4. General Observations and Workarounds
- Many users find charcoal filters "useless" because they clog as soon as effluent touches them, leading to ballooning or vacuum/pancaking.
- Common solutions include taping over the filter (permanently or until gas builds), using supplied filter covers, keeping output firmer, adding internal pouch spacers like a cotton ball or lubricant, changing pouches before filters block, or not using filters at all.

These insights reflect the experiences of users with different brands, including Hollister, Coloplast SenSura Mio, and ConvaTec.